Beat writer Scott Richey breaks down Illinois and Western Illinois:
OFFENSE
The offensive styles for the Illini and Leathernecks couldn't be more different. Illinois was able to show off offensive coordinator Rod Smith's run-based spread — at least in the second half — against Kent State. The main goal? Get the ball to the team's athletes in space and let them go to work. The Illini will be short some of those athletes in the passing game, but a productive stable of running backs could make up for those losses. Western Illinois runs a more traditional system with a two-back backfield, plenty of work for the team's tight ends and a pure pocket passer in three-year starting quarterback Sean McGuire.